Cute Rescue Puppies: Supply, Demand, and Logistics

By: Teri Bernstein

Tracy's Dogs, a different, non-profit, organization with the same mission

Depending upon where you live, the puppies you see at your local adoption center may not be local strays...but rather may be imports from elsewhere in the country. There are a few factors that set up the business model that make this a reality:

Several states in the South have no leash laws, and no spay or neuter laws (or big fees for licensing a fertile dog).

Consequence: a lot of "surprise" pups. Therefore, there is an over-supply.

Several states in the Northeast, northern Midwest and West have spay and neuter laws as well as leash laws.

In regulated states, fewer puppies are being born...and therefore there is less of a selection at adoption events. Therefore an under-supply or over-demand exists.

Non-profit fund raising by animal lovers can help make the business model work for transporting the animals to even out the supply and demand situation.

Entrepreneur drivers like Joy Harklerode make a difference in states where the economic hardship of paying for the spaying an animal outweigh any "greater good for the greatest number" concerns. She, and others likeRusty's LegacyandBrother Wolf Animal Rescuemake the economics of animal rescue work by acting as intermediaries in the transporting of unwanted pups to states where there is an undersupply of adoptable dogs.

This is one example of making a business that aligns with personal values. Wanna see more puppy pictures? VisitTopic.com.